Nepal King ignores probe deadline

Nepal's King Gyanendra has ignored a deadline set by a high-level commission to answer a set of questions on his role in suppressing the pro-democracy movement earlier in 2006.

The high level probe commission formed to grill individuals involved in suppressing the people's uprising in April had on October 12 sent a set of questions to the King seeking explanation on his role in the abuse of power and government fund.

"The week's deadline given for replying ended last evening and the commission neither received any response nor any request seeking for more time in sending the reply," Harihar Birahi, a member of the HLPC, said on Thursday.

"The reply has not come from the palace within the seven days deadline and we regard it as the King ignoring the commission's queries", he said.

King Gyanendra was forced to reinstate parliament after weeks of anti-monarchy protests in the Himalayan nation.

Birahi said the Commission would submit the report to the government within the specified time. "Nothing would obstruct our work and the Commission would take decision as per the mandate given to it," he added.